And I complain because I haven’t gotten two years of tax refunds from GovGuam. This guy just got his refund check from 1998 – a whopping $323.78, which includes the $138 in interest for the government hanging onto his money for nine years.

Man, it’s been raining a lot lately. Guess that’s why they call in rainy season. It was clear out last night, and I got a good look at the lunar eclipse too. I also got a nice photo of the eclipse taken by Donavan Brooks, check it out below.

IF THE weather allows, residents will be able to see a red or orange moon tomorrow night during a full lunar eclipse between 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. The moon will be in the shadow of the earth at around 8:30 p.m.
University of Guam’s “star lady,” Pam Eastlick, told Variety that the reason for the change in the moon’s color is that the moon will be in the earth’s shadow, which will cause sunset colors in the earth’s air to reflect onto the moon.
“The sun is shining on half of the Earth, through Earth’s air; on the sunrise and sunset ring, the light that is passing through the Earth’s air will be shining on the moon,” Eastlick said.
Eastlick said watching a lunar eclipse is about as much fun as watching paint dry.
“What I recommend is this — while watching television and when commercials come on, go out and look at the moon, then go back into your home. Then when commercials again come on, go back out and take another look at it. A person should be able to notice some changes in the eclipse,” she added.
Eastlick could not guarantee that the color of the moon would be sunset colors as it would all depend on how clean the air is.
She said in 1991, a red moon was scheduled to appear but did not, because of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines earlier that year.
Although most island residents are eager to view the red moon and the eclipse, Eastlick said the event may have an effect on some people based on their culture and/or religion.
Among the Chamorro beliefs about an eclipse is that if a pregnant woman wanders out of a shelter during an eclipse, the child may develop birth defects, be stillborn, or suffer mental disabilities.
“There are many people on the island who do not want to see it or be a part of it because of their beliefs,” Eastlick said. “This is another reason why I want to publicize this lunar event.”

Here’s the story from the Marianas Variety. I especially like the bit about superstitions.

Red moon over Guam tomorrow

By Trina A San AgustinVariety News Staff

IF THE weather allows, residents will be able to see a red or orange moon tomorrow night during a full lunar eclipse between 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. The moon will be in the shadow of the earth at around 8:30 p.m.University of Guam’s “star lady,” Pam Eastlick, told Variety that the reason for the change in the moon’s color is that the moon will be in the earth’s shadow, which will cause sunset colors in the earth’s air to reflect onto the moon.“The sun is shining on half of the Earth, through Earth’s air; on the sunrise and sunset ring, the light that is passing through the Earth’s air will be shining on the moon,” Eastlick said.Eastlick said watching a lunar eclipse is about as much fun as watching paint dry.“What I recommend is this — while watching television and when commercials come on, go out and look at the moon, then go back into your home. Then when commercials again come on, go back out and take another look at it. A person should be able to notice some changes in the eclipse,” she added.Eastlick could not guarantee that the color of the moon would be sunset colors as it would all depend on how clean the air is.She said in 1991, a red moon was scheduled to appear but did not, because of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines earlier that year.Although most island residents are eager to view the red moon and the eclipse, Eastlick said the event may have an effect on some people based on their culture and/or religion.Among the Chamorro beliefs about an eclipse is that if a pregnant woman wanders out of a shelter during an eclipse, the child may develop birth defects, be stillborn, or suffer mental disabilities.“There are many people on the island who do not want to see it or be a part of it because of their beliefs,” Eastlick said. “This is another reason why I want to publicize this lunar event.”

If you listen to radio, or download podcasts, dash on over to Radiolab, an amazing and endlessly fascinating show from WNYC, New York Public Radio. I got turned on to this podcast thanks to a recent episode of This American Life, yet another incredible and worthwhile listen on public radio. The topics are engrossing and presented in an incredibly entertaining manner. Good stuff – like crack cocaine for my brain. Give it a listen and you’ll be hooked too.

Got my hands on one of the new Quiksilver Paddle rashies last week and took it out for a paddle this week. Pretty nice stuff, so nice we are thinking about using them as uniforms for the paddling club in the future. So this set of links is for me…